I had a conversation with someone recently who mentioned that the professional pool players will tell you many things that will help your game but that there are some "secrets" that you will never pry from their minds.
This is obviously true and it has been my personal experience as well. I once asked Ralf Souquet what his technique was for maintaining composure and he said he would only reveal that only after his days of competition are over. I can understand that and I'm sure many of you can as well.
There are other things (secrets) that top players know that some of us don't know but I suspect that some secrets are idiosyncratic and may not be as valuable to others as they are for the person who thinks it is "the secret" to their success.
I think we all learn particular things which help our game but that they are relative to us as individuals. Sure, those unique things that we do to help us pocket balls might help others but not always. I haven't tested my theory out on any of the professional players but I would almost bet that they do unusual things to help them pocket balls but may be too embarassed to tell others how they perceive or execute the shots because it isn't in the books. We all know that if it isn't in the books, then it can't be right.
I think the biggest "Secret" to beating your opponent is being able to get them out of their natural Rhythm, and you do this in subtle ways, not by blatant sharking, but by just being You, the way you walk, talk, lookinto ones eyes, it can be unnerving to some people if your good at it, and when a player gets off their game , they start making mistakes, and you capitalize , and in return you will play an excellent game of pool yourself.
There are many secret's to playing good pool & winning, but being able to take someone out of their own element of their "feel good range" has got tobe at the top of the list!
David Harcrow